Ernest F. 1951 – 1959
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United States Navy
Korean War Era
1951 – 1954
Ernie enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War. When I asked him why he chose the Navy, he replied that the Navy had won World War II. I was puzzled by this answer and inquired more deeply about the matter. He told me that that’s all he saw as a child; the news reels and photos of the US Navy was winning the war. After all, most of the Army and Marine footage during the war was still classified. Thus, not much of the paratroopers or US Marine battle accomplishments were immediately known to the general public. This type of information wouldn’t be released until after the war ended. Hence, Ernie had grown up thinking that the US Navy had “won World War II.”
Ernie enlisted in the US Navy in 1952 and served until 1955. He completed boot camp at US Naval Station at San Diego, California.
Ernie originally qualified as a butcher, or in Navy parlance, he was a commissary man. He was initially stationed at San Jose, California. However, after a year of duty as a butcher assigned to an aviation unit, he was transferred to Barber’s Point in Hawaii.
After graduating from boot camp, Ernie was stationed in San Jose, California as he completed his Advance Individual Training as a Food Specialist. Thus, he was “rated” Navy Commissary Man.
Dad didn’t particularly like Navy boot camp; he said as much. But he stuck it out and later said the “struggle” changed his life for the better.
One thing Ernie said to me was that he learned about discipline during boot camp.
Ernie always made fun of this training “ship.” He hated it for some reason.
The type of post card he sent back to his mom and family in Denver.
The view of the US Navy Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California.
Another postcard he sent back to his family in Denver.
Ernie’s first “official” US Navy portrait.
Ernie posing while stationed at Barber’s Point, Hawaii.
Ernie was fond of making photo albums to remember his service in the US Navy.
Ernie’s unit’s mission had him flying across the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to Japan in order to deliver aviation mechanical parts to Japan in support of the Korean War. The unofficial name for this unit was “Pineapple Airlines.” VR-21 and VR-5.
VR-21
VR-21 US Navy Air Transport Command.
Ernie and Elsie dating. 1955-1956
After Elsie and Ernie were married, they soon had a baby boy Ernest R. Padilla. So began the Padilla family.
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